Post #533444 by TorchGuy on Tue, Jun 1, 2010 6:05 AM

"Vintage" and "plastic" together does sound funny... until you know that there was a time when plastic was a mark of luxury goods. It was expensive and difficult to make. When heat-set phenolic plastics like trademarked Bakelite, Catalin and Beetle came out in the early 30s, everyone wanted them. Owning plastic housewares, jewelry, etc. was a sign of affluence. Catalin is really collectible now, especially the various shades of 'butterscotch yellow' that were originally imitations of white marble, alabaster and ivory (Catalin ages with time).

Granted, these things are pretty thin, cheap plastic, but they're still nifty. And I'll decorate with these over the modern "party lights" any day. Not only do the sub-mini Christmas light type with the molded, colored plastic covers look tacky to me, but the themes are worse. Cacti? Chili peppers? Little airstream trailers? I even saw a set with red-and-brass shotgun shells! These Lidco lantern sets remind me of that "mad tea party" atmosphere, and of lawn parties pre-tiki.